SMALL Business Publications

01/03/2024

*THINK MONEY, THINK AGRIBUSINESS!*
Taking up from where we stopped two days back, there are numerous ways you can partake in Agribusiness without owning a farmland directly- a sort of making your money work for you. The fact that there are many mouths to feed with fewer food in production and market makes investment in the sector a wise decision.
First on the list is Proxy Farming whereby you subscribe to investment in an established large farm with an agreed returns over a number of years.Such farms could be specialised- be food crops, cash crops, export of raw agro-products or value-added agro-products. Ask around and carry out due diligence to avoid being scammed.

Cattle hostelling- related to number one is cattle hostelling or proxy cattle ranching. You purchase some young calves- baby cow and contract it to an organisation to take care for you for 1 or 2 years.You are sure of doubling your herd within a year. At least, two higher institutions in South West engage in this.

Direct Export. There are three ways to go about this. The first has been mentioned up, the second way is to float an ecommerce site specialising on agro products, selling on retail basis or tap into the already existing platform like Jumia, Aliexpress, Amazon.This especially calls for some grounding on export issues. This you can do by learning from someone already in the biz or taking a paid course with established bodies like Nigerian Export Promotion Council and some private organisations. The third way is sourcing and feeding customers and clients abroad interested in your product. There are some local agro products that are hot cake abroad- sesame seeds, ginger, groundnut,cocoa beans, coffee and so on. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council is your first point of call if interested.

Urban Farming- farming within the confines of your home. Depending on your interest- snail, veggies farming, spices farming, food crops like yam, potatoes,fruits and the likehttps://wa.me/c/2348093595805

Learn more about their products and services

21/02/2024

*HALTING THE PRESSURE ON DOLLARS!*

I once attended a seminar where one of the facilitators narrated his experience with his friend while seeking financial succour from him. After all niceties and apologies for his inability to assist him, the friend ended by advising him to look inward. Yes! Look inward! And inward did he look and got solution to his challenges. I think for us all to survive the current economy quarmire, the time is now ripe for us to look inward. This is how we can assist ourselves either as an individual or business owners. We need to look inward to call off the bluff of dollar. Yes we can ...and it's possible by looking and actually patronising local alternatives to foreign goods and services. We have good private educational institutions here, that will give your children what you are looking for in Europe and US. Boycott all foreign owned firms always crying to remit DOLLARS for local alternatives. Use glo instead of MTN or Airtel. Drive Innoson instead of Toyota. Go for Aba made shoes instead of Italian shoes. World class floor and wall tiles are made on Lagos- Ibadan Expressway. Shun Italian or Spanish tiles. Develop your taste bud for locally made foods and drinks. Hennesy and others will shop for another market somewhere else. For those that cannot see themselves without these foreign goods and services, the tax should be hike to make more money for the government. Our policy makers must lead the campaign by axing all procurements with local alternatives.
For now, l do not see immediate alternative to change this narrative. Good 'money' all.
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaJemX1FCCoONk50zV3c

15/02/2024

*HOW PREPARED ARE YOU FOR FUNDING ?*
If you were to ask the entrepreneur the number one item on his immediate needs, over 90% would say it's fund. Yes... everybody needs money but how prepared are you to access the fund? You see... fund owners are not charity organizations neither are they politicians seeking for votes to win election,the decision to part with their funds is hinged on pure business principles - having to be convinced of your ability to apply the fund as argued in your presentation.Whether it's loan or grant, same principles apply.
Most MSMES have been complaining of there inability to access funds,either from financial institutions or interventions from state and federal govrnments becoming frustrated and vowing not to apply again. To them, it's like the fund owners are taking for a ride. If you fall into such category, let me give you some of what fund owners do look out for when accessing your proposal, perhaps you may have a rethink and give it another shot. Click here to request for a FREE copy on 10 Steps to Access Fund:https://wa.me/c/2348093595805 and follow my Whatsapp Channel for resources on managing your Small Business:https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaJemX1FCCoONk50zV3c

10/02/2024

Resources to start your Small Business. Follow my Whatsapp business Channel for resources on conceiving and generating business ideas :https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaJemX1FCCoONk50zV3c and view my catalogue:https://wa.me/c/2348093595805

26/01/2024

*HOME ORGANIC FARMING*
In few weeks now, the rain season will be here. What efforts are you making to ensure that you, your family and the nation is self sufficient in food production? Everybody is complaining of high cost of food in the market but should it just end there?
Even as a side hustle, you can contribute your quota by embracing Home organic farming. Why organic, you will ask. Organic farming either in the house or on a rather large scale is the most sustainable way for food production. It provides healthy food and contribute to the replenishment of the earth resources devoid of chemicals that are damaging the earth.
It involves using natural manure and compost to aid plant growth and yield as against chemical laced fertilizer.
Many dangerous ailments have been associated with the consumption of inorganically produced food. Therefore, producing food organically at home will safeguard your health and those of your loved ones apart from savings some change that would have been otherwise expended on medicine and costly foodstuffs you do not know the origin and composition.
As a starter, and without a parcel of land, you may not need much: some dissused tyres,sacks, plastics, flower pots, tins, cans and all those waste containers. If you want to raise the bar, you can buy new plastics or construct wooden beds, neatly arranged in your compound or backyard. Your manure is also wastes from the kitchen, dead woods and leaves. You make your own manure from these wastes. Better if you have some space in your compound to practicalize this.It's easy, exciting and above all, healthy.
You need further guidance, follow me on my Whatsapp Channel:https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaJemX1FCCoONk50zV3c or pick a copy of my ebook on Organic Home farming:https://wa.me/c/2348093595805

19/11/2023

Is your food your medicine or poison? Take control of what you stuff into your system. Embrace Organic farming right inside your compound.Easy, exciting and health rewarding.https://wa.me/c/2348093595805 https://wa.me/c/2348093595805

16/11/2023

Start planning to start and grow your Small business now with our loaded ebooks on entrepreneurship and vocational training
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19/09/2023

Never too young or old to start something. Idleness brings poverty.

30/12/2020

What is your business outlook for 2021?

06/12/2020

Manual and electric grinder's for sale and delivery is nationwide oo don't come and tell me price have added by December call now and booked yours 07069291962

We are committed to the improvement and further innovation of professional kitchen equipment . With dedication in product manufacturing, semi-product processing, product marketing and merchandise import / export. Complete sales and service of spiral mixer,cake mixer, shawarma machine, baking oven, ice cream machine, juice dispenser, vegetable cutter, bread slicer and other food proccessing equipment with warranty.We are the answer for all your kitchen equipment requirements.We also sell service and can deliver to anywhere within or outside lagos.For more info pls call,text or whatsapp number available 24/hrs.

15/02/2019

WHAT VALUE CAN U ADD TO THAT LOCAL BUT POPULAR PRODUCT IN YOUR LOCALITY?

26/10/2018

26/10/2018

Capacity building for MSMEs does not start or end in classrooms/training centers.It extends to attending business shows,exhibitions and fairs; meeting points of diverse business men and women that can share ideas with you on your products and services.If you cannot afford a whole booth,negotiate with the organisers or producers of complimentary products/services to split the cost.The end may eventually justify the means. Such fora are cheaper ways of making vital contacts,face to face product assessment with the potential buyers and more important .taking orders! Give it a try.

09/07/2018

THERE IS NO ELEVATOR TO BUSINESS SUCCESS,YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE STAIRS.

20/09/2017

26/02/2017

Look around you for local products you can re-package and re-branded.The market is staggering.Stop lamenting recession.Add value.

22/02/2017

20/02/2017

DON`T SAY RECESSION,SAY RE-DISCOVERY
Just look at these 3 products: Ready to Eat Ewa Agunyin sauce 2)Ready to Drink Garri with Peanut 3)Ready to cook Onion,Tomatoes and Pepper sauce.All proudly made in Nigeria with world class packaging.Nigeria will be great.

31/01/2017

The saga continues! EMPOWERMENT ON AIR!
The programme has been aired on the following dates with topics treated:
Tuesday Dec 6th 2016- Introduction of the programme on air
Thursday Dec. 8th 2016- Steps to starting a Business
Tuesday 13 Dec.2016- Steps to starting a Business
Thursday 15 Dec. 2016- Steps to starting a Business
Tuesday 20 Dec. 2016- Sources of Business Funding and Business Classification
Thursday 22Dec.2016- Low Cost business promotion means and an Amazing business that started small but has grown big. Business of the week- Uses of Old cartons.

Tuesday 27 Dec. 2016- Importance of Record keeping in Small business. Thursday

29 Dec. 2016- A look at vital governmental agencies relevant to successful small business and how to key into their services: SMEDAN, NAFDAC, SON, NEPC, etc
Small business of the week: Mushroom production

Tuesday 3rd Jan 2017- Benefits and Importance of belonging to a business membership organizations-OPS.
Thurday 10 Jan 2017-Cost saving measures for Start ups.
Tuesday 17th Jan 2017-Opportunities in waste-waste to wealth. Cultivation and procrssing of Mushroom was especially promoted as it has great export potentials.
Thursday 20th Jan. 2017-How to participate in waste to wealth business.
Tuesday 24 January 2017-Incentives for Women Entrepreneurs, the value chain in Entrepreneurship and Vegetable farmers required by an exporter.
Thursday 26 January 2017- What attracts Financiers to Your Business Plans?
Tuesday 31 January 2017-What attracts Financiers to Your Business Plans?
GET ACROSS TO ME ON THESE AND OTHER ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGES

25/12/2016

LISTEN TO EMPOWERMENT ON RADIO ON BOND FM 92.9 ON `BALELAYO` EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY BETWEEN 6-6.30 P.M.

31/10/2016

EXPLORING THE GRANTS OPTION IN BUSINESS FINANCE

Many entrepreneurs do not know of other sources of business funding except loans.Now that the recession has set in and bank loans are not quite easy to come by,why not try Grants.
Wisegeeks.net defines Small Business Grants as funds made available to qualified entrepreneurs to either start up a new business or expand an existing small business. The main function of small business grant is to provide resources that aid in stimulating economic growth. By granting these resources to small businesses, the hope is that the business will have time to become profitable and begin to contribute to the overall economic well being of the city or town where the business is located.
Small business grants are different from small business loans. With a loan, there is the expectation that the funds extended in the transaction will eventually be repaid in full. With a small business grant, the company is not expected to repay the face value of the funds received. The general perception is that if the business succeeds, the boost to the local economy will over time justify the amount of funds that were given to the company.
Generally speaking, small business grants are not distributed under the auspices of a national or federal government. In most cases, either state or local agencies offer business grants of this type. There are also some philanthropic organizations that offer small business grants.
In Nigeria, there are a number of grants which entrepreneurs can key into. Some are listed below:

• Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (abbreviated to “You WiN!” Now repackaged and integrated into the BIG portal) https://bigportal.org.ng/
• U.S. AMBASSADOR'S SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/ambsshp.html
• World Bank/EDC Pan African University Women- X Programme http://onlineregportal.com/Womenx/Home
• Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEEP) http://tonyelumelufoundation.org/teep/tony-elumelu-entrepreneurship-programme-portal-opens-for-applications/
• ETISALAT Easy business Millionaires Hunt http://etisalat.com.ng/easybusiness/easybusinessmillionaire.php

04/09/2016

AGRIC BUSINESS

PRODUCTION OF FLUTED PUMPKIN (UGWU)
INTRODUCTION:
Ugwu is a fruit vegetable but its leaves are the part eaten. It supplies vitamins and minerals. It serves as a source of roughages because of its relatively high cellulose fiber. It is also of great economic importance.
It’s used for different types of Nigerian dishes. It is also used for medicinal preparations and herbal remedies especially for improvement of blood supply in the body. Cultivating Ugwu even front a back yard bed could be a veritable source of profitable business as the vegetable is in high demands for individual and commercial users like mama put and local restaurants. It also has strong export potentials to UK and USA.

CHIOCE OF LAND.
Chose loam to sandy loam soil. It does well in soils with high organic matter.Ugwu is usually propagated by seeds. For good seed seeding and uniform growth, Grow seeds in sawdust before transplanting to the field.

LAND PREPARATION;
Clear land, stump and remove roots, plough and harrow to get w**d free and loose soil for good seedbeds.
Construct beds at 1mx 10m or any convenient length for easy management. Basal application of 60g of NPK 15:15 per10m2 bed is ideal.

TIME OF PLANTING:
Plant at the onset of rain. For economic yield, plant in March/April, It can also be planted in August/September especially on irrigated or Fadama lands.

SPACING:
3ft x 1ft to give 20,000 stands per hectare, plant at 2 seeds per hole; thin out non-prolific males to obtain maximum field population. Stake individual plant with bamboo branches to enhance more leaf production.

W**D CONTROL:
W**d carefully to remove the w**ds, about 2-4 w**ding is required.

FERTILIZER RATE AND TIME OF APPLICATION:
Apply 10 bags of NPK 20:10:10 per hectare. Split application is recommended at 4,7, and 10 weeks after planting .2 bear caps at each application per plant.
Organic fertilizer can also be applied at 20 tons /ha once or 20 kg/10m2bed to be incorporate before planting. Spot application is recommended.

YIELD: An average of 50-6-tons/HA of leaf.

DISEASE AND PEST CONTROL: Ugwu can be damaged by Zonoccrus variegates-grasshoppers, use Perfekthion, Vetox 85 or Karate Ec. For leaf spots , use Diothanic E-45.
HARVEST: Harvest at 3 weekly intervals to prevent loss of vigour and store in a cool dry place to prolong shelf life.

01/08/2016

Who Can Be an Entrepreneur?

It is wrongly assumed that for one to be an Entrepreneur, one must have attained certain level of education.ie. B.SC., Masters or PHD and must have gotten some God- knows –Years of experience in business. Yet, others would say only graduates of Business Administration, Management, Marketing, Banking, Economics , Accounting and other business courses are qualified to be Entrepreneurs. This is not so. The most important qualification is to have Passion for the business you want to embark on. You must be Passionate about the business and be ready to throw all you have into making a success of it. Where education comes in has to do with your ability to read, write and communicate in official business language, normally English. This will surely aid you in sourcing information on the business you want to do, write your business plan, talk and convince your creditors on the viability of your business and even sell yourself as business minded. Your outlook will be greatly enhanced if you have excellent communication skills, and also well read.

Some notable Nigerian businessmen were said to be secondary school certificate holders before venturing into business. However, they made up for this deficiency by attending trainings and seminars on their chosen professions. The legendary William Shakespeare did not attend formal school beyond primary school, but became a celebrated writer of all times. Nigerian born celebrated Yoruba Poet: Olanrewaju Adepoju- did not attend formal school but taught himself how to read and write in English. If this is not Passion, what else?

Again, some graduates do not realize the business potentials of their courses and often got frustrated by their wrong perception of the worth of their certificates. Under listed are business potentials of some of polytechnics and Universities courses often under looked:

Yoruba, Igbo and other local languages: Recorded poets, book writing, newspaper/magazine publishing, acting and film production, translation services, masters of ceremonies, language schools, online radio and television services, independent radio and television production, language research centers, private library services and reading rooms, lecturing / teaching and so on.

English, French and other Foreign languages: book writing, / magazine publishing, acting and film production, translation services, language schools, online radio and television services, independent radio and television production, language research centers, private library services and reading rooms, lecturing / teaching and so on.

Psychology, physiology- Special schools for deformed children, Consultants to health institutions, specialist hospitals. Diagnostics facilities, teaching/lecturing, book publishing, guidance and counseling, analyst/consultant to law enforcement agencies and security companies.

Botany, Zoology, Biology and other single science courses: Gardening and Horticulture/landscaping services, Waste and Environmental management services, teaching /lecturing, book writing/authorship, farming, science fiction film or comic production, Analytical Laboratory services, agro chemicals production, sales or marketing and so on.

Some of the above listed are virgin businesses with little or no competitor for an enterprising graduate with or without experience and with little startup capital to explore.
Give it a try!

24/07/2016

BUSINESS SENSE OF THE WEEK:`The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious`John Sculley

19/07/2016

7. SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Private Hostel Development
A few weeks back the federal government of Nigeria licensed 6 new federal university and 4 privately owned universities. A common problem afflicting most of the existing university is acute shortage of hostel facilities-accommodation. Older universities still suffer from this affliction, many years after their creation. A visit to any of the existing university will reveal a lot on this. Opportunity therefore exist for a wise investor to establish an all female or all male hostel to be put up for rentage to prospective students in search of accommodation or those not desirous of residing on the campus.

Location:
For obvious reason, the location should be close to a tertiary institution, within a walking distance.
Type:
This depends on the taste and demands. There are some close to University of Lagos that rivals a five star hotel in terms of the facilities obtainable. Such facility include, air conditioned rooms, cable TV, standby generator, standard cafeteria, cybercafé, salon and 24 hour security.
Some others only rent out bed space and allow tenant to furnish to taste. Whichever one decides, rooms are classified into 4 categories namely: One person to a room, 2 people per room, 3 people per room and 4 people per room. The classy the hostel, the higher the rate and vice versa.

Rates:
Rates range from N30, 000 per annum per person to N150, 000, as earlier said depending on the taste and type. It is a cool business with minimal staff but high return on investment.

Start of:
A small investor can start by renting out bed space and leaving the furnishing for the student. The business can be started from a rented premises, though having your own building will obviously be better.

Staffing:
This consist of porters, clerk for payments and record taking, and part time Maintenance officer

For full feasibility and .viability studies, contact
Romis Consultants Limited at 26, Association Avenue, Ilupeju.

17/07/2016

EVER-GREEN OLD ISSUES